A computational approach to the core of Eunicellins

The asymmetric Diels-Alder reaction has attracted much interest for decades. Most recently, interest in the use of catalysts in cycloadditions has gained momentum due to their capacity to provide complex stereoselectivity throughout natural product synthesis. In this study, the origin of diastereoselectivity of intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction with chiral imidazolidinones is investigated to construct the skeleton of eunicellin which is a marine metabolite and two of medium ring ethers found in some natural products. The first reaction of interest was the intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction of acyclic precursor, seven, eight and nine membered reactants with and without aldehyde substituent in order to better understand the origin of diastereoselectivity. The exo and endo selectivity of the cycloadditon reactions, and the rate of thermal reactions are discussed in detail. Secondly, an organocatalyst controlled intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction of seven membered ring to synthesize the tricyclic core is investigated. Lastly, the cycloaddition reactions of eight and nine membered model Diels-Alder precursors are further explored to rationalize the effects of medium ring constraints and to elucidate the difference in diastereoselectivity of the intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction with chiral imidazolidinones. In this work, the effect of MacMillan Catalyst on the mechanism and stereoselectivity of the reaction have been studied with DFT and discussed in detail.